Census provides work opportunities

By Staff
Nathan Strickland
The hiring for the 2010 Census Team has begun.
The U.S. Census Bureau is offering full and part time temporary positions to help count the American population. Every 10 years the U.S. Constitution demands a census from the country.
Tests for employment are being offered to anyone searching for a job. Each applicant must take a 30-minute basic skills test consisting of 28 questions measuring knowledge, skill set and abilities required to perform a census job.
Russellville Public Library director Deborah Barnett believes this will be vital to everyone.
"I think it is a great opportunity to get a great paying job," she said. "It is really going to help measure how our population has shifted and it is important for the government to know so everyone can be better represented."
Barnett said even though they will be counting soon, the counts might take several years to be revealed.
Census workers are placed in their communities, locating each household to explain the purpose of the census. The worker is also responsible for conducting personal interviews with respondents who failed to return their 2010 Census questionnaire, and record their responses on a paper form.
Census employees will work varied hours including evening and weekends, but not exceeding 40 hours a week.
Russellville resident Mike Dugan said he hopes to snag a good job.
"I've been out of work for awhile," he said. " I think I did ok on the test and hope to hear from them soon."
The census offers a number of positions including census taker, crew leaders, crew leader assistants, recruiting assistants and census clerks.
Visit www.2010censusjobs.com for more information.